I've been on their list for a while. I recently got an email, filled out a form and was qualified for a focus group. I decided to participate. A week later, I get a call from the rep saying her boss ordered her to cancel me from the group because I live too far away (Gilroy to Pleasanton) and I might not show up. WTF? Maybe the boss wouldn't drive that far, but when you live in "the sticks" you get used to driving for anything. If I said I'd be there, I'll be there. read more

I've been getting calls and emails from Amplify Research for so many years now that I genuinely don't remember how or exactly when I even got connected to this company. I noticed that in maybe the last year or so (maybe a little longer than that), I've stopped getting calls from them and only get emails now asking me to participate in their market research studies and focus groups. When they used to call and leave voicemails, the voicemails would ALWAYS start in the middle of their employees' spiels about the study, which started to get suspicious to me -- how do none of these people know how to leave a proper voicemail? The only reason I'd know the message was from Amplify was when the caller would mention the name of the study (i.e. "Project Imagine"). I also found it strange that the calls eventually started going only one or two rings before they'd stop and then a voicemail would come through shortly after, almost like they didn't actually want you to get to the phone to answer and would rather leave you a broken, partial voicemail. Baffling. The reason for the lowest possible rating is because no matter if I've taken the study over the phone or online, in all of the years they've been contacting me (which I know for sure is close to 10) I have never, not once, ever qualified for a study. These people run studies on everything under the sun, looking for pet owners or consumers of whatever products, or even something as general as "we're looking for men and women aged 18-60," yet somehow I've never qualified for a single study. This ain't me being salty about not qualifying, this is me being highly skeptical of this company and wondering if they're even legit. A quick LinkedIn search doesn't yield too many current employees, and they all seem to be either partners or recruiting managers; the handful of former employees were in different business capacities, but overall this place has a guarded, shady feel that's become more glaring over time. Today I got an email from them about their latest study, which was really vague and just said it's seeking men and women aged 21-55. As usual, I go through the same entry questions for the study (just name/location/occupation/salary/education/demographics questions), and was then asked if I, someone in my household, or family members were current or retired employees in a series of different industries, and to select all that applied. I selected the relevant ones, clicked next, and as usual was told I didn't qualify. Gee, what a surprise. If you've managed to actually land a seat in one of these focus groups, go buy a lotto ticket because you just might have some of the best luck on the planet. I think Amplify intentionally creates the most bizarre, random line of questioning to qualify as few people as possible for their focus groups because they don't really want to pay out the hundred bucks or whatever they dangle in front of people's faces to participate in these studies. These are unserious people and a waste of my time. read more

Best focus group facilities ever! Inside, the lighting is bright and the atmosphere is very clean and friendly. The focus group rooms are very spacious, with lots of sunlight, which makes it easy to open up and talk about your opinions when taking a study. The entrance is easy to find, because they are on the very first floor, right next to the elevators when you first enter the building complex. They are the easiest company to find in that entire building. The staff are all very professional, and go out of their way to help answer questions I had. There are occasionally snacks provided, depending on which day you show up. Overall, a nice facility for focus groups! read more

Maybe it is strange to review a focus group facility, but I have been really impressed with Amplify. I have been there on the client side- not as a participant in a focus group. If you are looking for an operation that has things down to a science- this is the place to go. There are two large focus group rooms with plenty of seating, tables, white boards, flip charts, flexible creative space- basically whatever you'd need. The backrooms are well stocked with all the supplies you need, and if there is something in particular you're looking for, they'll probably find you that too. They've always provided meals and snacks when I've been there for all day projects, and their team does a great job of making sure the right amount and selection of food is there to satisfy all the back room tastes and keep the team energized. They're even great at removing certain brands from the back room if you're doing a project that would be a competitor. The reception area is inviting for the participants, and the staff is super professional. The capabilities are great, and they can video record or even live stream the sessions so you'll have them for later or can invite non-local team members to join. Wifi in the backroom works flawlessly, you know, in case you might have to multi-task, not that anyone ever does that... The only small drawback I've noticed were some slight issues with temperature control between the rooms as the sun rose to shine on the closed blinds in the back of the room. But that was relatively minor and fixed to where things were once again comfortable enough, if not ideal. Overall, a great facility, conveniently located near the intersection of 580 and 680, and a go-to for helping you with your research needs. read more

Unprofessional. First I was signed up for a session at 7pm on 10/4/16--no problem, it's after work. Then they arbitrarily change the time on you (to 3pm, in my case--a problem, since it's still during work hours but I can accommodate). Then they have you re-do the survey--which I answered in the exactly same manner that I answered originally. And somehow--I don't qualify anymore. After having spent so much time going through the various surveys and speaking to a bunch of people, they turn you away, even after I agreed to the unreasonable time change. A commitment to a client (and I do consider myself a client in this case), need to be kept. Doing anything less is irresponsible and unprofessional. Perhaps a management overhaul is in order. read more

THIS IS MY FIRST STOP! BEAWARE DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM!!! I seen a paid Facebook advertisement and filled out a survey online and thought ok this sounds good after reading reviews etc they came to my house for a 2 hour in home inteverview &THEY NEVER PAID ME!!! I waited 2 weeks to hear something back from them and they didn't even give me the courtesy to contact me after and let me know what is going on. They are very unprofessional. This is how they treat you when you are of color. They don't respect you this is one of the worst market research firms I have ever participated with. I will be making sure everyone is aware of this company and how they do business. People of color be aware they did not treat me right, they stayed at my house for 2 hours and wasted my time and by unproper judgement they decided not to pay me for my time. They judge people of color , and don't believe what you have to stay away don't want anyone else do have such a awful experience like I have. BE AWARE you have been warned. I don't even like leaving negative reviews. This is how bad they treated me. read more

I'm worked with Amplify Research for the past 3-4 years. I used to do projects for another focus group but their workers were always rude and completely unorganized. Amplify's staff has always been professional and courteous. I receive polite and appropriately timed phone calls (based on when I've requested to be emailed or called for projects). Their directions are easy to follow and I've always enjoyed speaking with whichever representative contacts me. I work so can't always attend their morning projects but they've done a great job of keeping me updated of upcoming projects. This last project was a piece of cake! I completed the questionnaire, was contacted, qualified and sent instructions for the day that I was supposed to go in. Upon arriving, I was greeted by a really wonderful woman and was brought up for my turn right on schedule. I was in and out in about 60 minutes and $$ cash in hand. I'll continue working with Amplify because I always know what to expect and there are no surprises. If I have questions, I call or email and always get great service and prompt answers. A lot of my friends (and even my aunt & uncle!) who live in the area do projects with them locally and have always enjoyed their experience. Cash for my honest opinion? Sure, but don't annoy me with nonsense and it better be an easy process. I work full-time and don't need 11 phone calls and 18 emails for one focus group. Amplify makes it easy to volunteer. Highly recommned. read more

I've been called by Amplify a few times as they have searched for participants in their market research and it's always been a pleasure to speak with them and fun to answer their survey questions. Each time I have chatted with them I've happily qualified to be a participant in their market research. One of the research groups was held in San Francisco where I live and was easily accessible and I was paid upon leaving. Another was in the East Bay at a place and time that was manageable for me to get to and I was paid directly after the event. A third time when I arrived at the location the people conducting the research soon realized I did not actually qualify, but paid me for my effort of going to their location to make sure I was still made whole. I've only encountered professionalism from Amplify and all those associated with this company. I would happily answer any survey with Amplify in the future. read more

Just got done with a fun focus group! I've been participating in focus groups with Amplify for years! I only wish I could do them more often but apparently we're not supposed to participate in more than one focus group every few months, but I still try to qualify for them when I can since it seems like every project is different. It's a super fun and easy way to get compensated for my time, opinion and I get to learn about cool products that might be coming out on the market. The office they're located in is awesome, super sleek and modern decor (the chairs are SUPER COMFY) and they give you yummy snacks to munch on while you're waiting for your group to start. The staff have always been very courteous and professional. I've always been compensated for my participation in the groups that I participate in, whether it be an online only group, in-home group or on-site group and sometimes they have even asked me if I know anyone that would also like to participate and I've always been happy to help them out to find more participants and those people that I've referred have always been pleased and thanked me for introducing them to the wonderful world of focus groups at Amplify :) Sometimes I've been compensated for those referrals and sometimes I haven't, but they always let me know if they would or wouldn't compensate me for a referral. Overall, I'm a very happy participant and do recommend my friends to at least see if they qualify and can be entered into their database for future studies if they don't qualify for one specifically. Great company! read more

My first ever focus group and I was a little nervous, not knowing what to expect. But it went really well! The details were very clear in the email that was sent to me. The lobby was nicely set up with refreshments and the check in/out process was organized and quick. Everyone was really friendly and professional. Overall, a really positive experience! read more

This company will totally scam you. I would never work for them. They totally misrepresented themselves and had me recruiting friends for a study for them, but they didn't tell me that they were pitting other groups against eachother and would only be accepting the first group. I put in allot of time and effort for them, and used my good name to recruit friends,. My friends had been calling in and qualifying for the study, so that was not the issue. In the end they refused to compensate me and clearly misrepresented themselves for their own benefit, not giving a darn how they scammed their potential participants. I am infuriated, and would suggest you steer clear of this company. read more

I've participated in two online studies with Amplify and both times they were fun and easy and the project managers were very accommodating with my east coast time difference. It's always nice to make a little extra cash and have fun while doing it! read more

I'm writing this because this company just cancelled my interview at the last minute (no $100 compensation), said they sent an email which I needed to respond to on the 3rd which was never received by me (I checked), and had a qualification interviewer who apparently didn't qualify me correctly. I blocked off this time today and didn't make other plans (even though my son is visiting from Chicago) to do this and now less than an hour before I was going to leave to drive over, they have decided that I don't qualify. I suspect that because they were bringing in two interviewees per time slot, they decided they didn't want to pay both (only 1 would actually be interviewed but both would be paid). I did receive an email reminding me yesterday (July 10th) about the interview today with no indication that there was a problem. I would not deal with this company again, not as an participant and I definitely wouldn't use them to do any market research a company might need because I think their dealings are NOT above board. I think I will also notify the company that this market research study was for so that they are aware that they may be paying for more than they are getting. read more